Sabina Forwood, the owner and designer of the 17th-century Walltown Byre, set in 700 acres of rolling Northumberland countryside, did not do beige. As she said: “Life is colour. Colour is life – it’s everything. Colour is evocative; it’s sexy; it makes you think.”
So, if you like your interiors bland, look away now.
Filled with the unusual and unique, Sabina’s creative influence is evident in every inch of this property. After inheriting the working byre (the old English word for cowshed) Sabina worked closely with local specialists to convert the simple stone property into a stylish three-bedroom house.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living area spans a generous nine by five metres and is flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows, which frame the front aspect of the property. The byre’s original stone arches create a natural divide between the dining and sitting areas while retaining a relaxed flow throughout the space, enabling guests to chat, relax and entertain at ease.
Sabina’s design influences are by no means limited to vibrant colours – an accomplished artist who loved collecting and showcasing works by fellow artists, she was also dedicated to the reuse and repurposing of items that are so thoughtlessly discarded in our throwaway culture. Stay at Walltown Byre and not only will you get to cook in a magnificent pillar box red kitchen, you’ll discover a thought-provoking world of antique furnishings revived by local artisans using vintage fabrics, abstract sculptures, wall-hung kimonos and eye-popping tapestries.
Despite such striking interiors, one’s gaze is always drawn back to the sweeping countryside views afforded by the byre’s large windows. Soak up the verdant beauty of Roman wall country from the dining table or kitchen bar, from the comfort of your bed or - our favourite - from the bubbling embrace of the outdoor hot tub on the patio to the front of the property.
Three suitably quirky en-suite bedrooms lead off from the main living space while a separate wing houses an impressive cinema and games room, where natural light from arrow-slit windows is complemented by bespoke chromatic lighting. Complete with a ping-pong table and piano, this is the spot for big kids of all ages to kick back and indulge in serious games and screen time. Although, given that guests can stream films from iPlayer, Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, family debates about what to watch on the huge cinema screen are inevitable...
Finally, a separate utility room leads into a ground floor wet room with plenty of storage for outdoor gear, wellies and walking boots.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
For guests looking to holiday together but enjoy their own space, Walltown Byre can be let in conjunction with Walltown Farm Cottage sleeping six plus a child's bed and sofa bed, Lowtown Cottage sleeping four, and Fell End sleeping eight plus five children's beds. Walltown Farm Cottage sits 50 yards from Walltown Byre while Lowtown Cottage is approximately a 10 minute walk away along the public footpath, and Fell End is approximately a 25 minute walk away along the public footpath or a short drive.
Getting availability
